During meiosis I, specifically in the prophase I stage, homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of DNA. This process, a critical part of sexual reproduction, creates new combinations of genes on each chromosome.
This recombination of genetic material is a fundamental driver of genetic diversity within a species. It ensures that offspring are genetically unique from their parents and from each other, increasing the species’ adaptability to environmental changes and resilience against diseases. The discovery and understanding of this process have significantly advanced the fields of genetics and evolutionary biology.